Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, a central patriarchal figure in the Hebrew Bible, is the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Esau. His life and legacy are foundational to the history of Israel, as he is the father of the twelve tribes. Jacob's account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 25 through 50.Birth and Early Life Jacob's birth is marked by divine prophecy. Rebekah, his mother, experienced a tumultuous pregnancy and sought the Lord's guidance. The Lord revealed to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). Jacob was born grasping Esau's heel, a foreshadowing of the struggle that would characterize their relationship. The Birthright and Blessing Jacob's early life is defined by his desire for the birthright and blessing traditionally given to the firstborn. Esau, a hunter, returned famished from the field, and Jacob seized the opportunity to acquire Esau's birthright in exchange for a meal of bread and lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34). Later, with Rebekah's assistance, Jacob deceived his father Isaac into bestowing the blessing of the firstborn upon him, a pivotal moment that would shape his destiny and the future of his descendants (Genesis 27:1-29). Flight to Haran and Vision at Bethel Fearing Esau's wrath, Jacob fled to his uncle Laban in Haran. On his journey, he had a significant spiritual encounter at Bethel. In a dream, he saw a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. The Lord stood above it and reaffirmed the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac, promising Jacob land, numerous descendants, and blessings for all nations through his offspring (Genesis 28:10-15). Jacob awoke and declared, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it" (Genesis 28:16). Life in Haran and Family In Haran, Jacob worked for Laban and married his daughters, Leah and Rachel. His time there was marked by labor and familial growth, resulting in eleven sons and one daughter. Despite Laban's attempts to deceive him, Jacob prospered, attributing his success to God's favor (Genesis 30:25-43). Return to Canaan and Reconciliation with Esau After twenty years, Jacob returned to Canaan, a journey fraught with anxiety over meeting Esau. Before their encounter, Jacob wrestled with a divine being at Peniel, where he was blessed and renamed Israel, meaning "he struggles with God" (Genesis 32:28). This event symbolized a transformation in Jacob's character and relationship with God. The reunion with Esau was unexpectedly peaceful, marked by forgiveness and reconciliation (Genesis 33:1-11). Later Years and Legacy Jacob settled in Canaan, where his family continued to grow. His later years were marked by the favoritism shown to his son Joseph, which led to familial strife and Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt. During a severe famine, Jacob and his family relocated to Egypt, where he was reunited with Joseph. Before his death, Jacob blessed his sons, prophesying the future of their descendants and reaffirming God's promises (Genesis 49:1-28). Jacob's life is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His covenant promises. His account is integral to the narrative of the Israelites, and his legacy endures through the twelve tribes of Israel. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 25:24-26And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 24:4 1 Chronicles 1:34 Acts 7:8 Library How Jacob Deceived his Father Jacob, a Prince of God. Jacob and Esau. What Kings Reigned in Assyria and Sicyon When, According to the ... Of Jacob's Mission to Mesopotamia to Get a Wife, and of the vision ... Chapter xxv From Abraham to Egypt. Psalm LXXVIII. Letter Lxxviii. (AD 404. ) Chapter iv Resources Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel? | GotQuestions.org How could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.org Jacob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim" Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain) Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt Related Terms |
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